Conveyer apparatus.



Patented Nov. 25, I902. M. BRADFIELD.

CONVEYERAPPARATUS.

Application filed Nov. 15, 1901.

(No Model.)

, 3 Sheets-Sheet I.

Patented Nov. 25, I902.

M BRADFIELU CONVEYER APPARATUS.

(Application filed. Nov. 15. 1901.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 (No Model.)

34.? Q ZawwLe/m 710 TA/E-S 65-5 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

Patented Nov. 25, 1902.

I U M "45 QRRIS PETERS co. P OIO-LITMO WASNINGTDN. D- C.

m BBADFIE LD CONVEYER APPARATUS.

(Application fl led Nov. 15, 1901.

No. 714,278, I v

(Nd mm.) A

w) r/vesss s UNITED STATES PATENT OFFI E;

MASON BRADFIELD, onLos ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR To EMMA N. BRADFIELD, or Los ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

CONVEYER APPARATUS.

SPEGIFIGATIONfoz-ming part of Letters Patent No. 714,278, dated November 25,1902. Application filed November 15, 1901. erial No. 82,475. (No model.)

To aZLwhon t it may concern:

Be itknown that I, MASON BRADFIELD, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented a new and useful Conveyor Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to conveyer apparatus, and particularly to apparatus of this character constructed to convey material a comparatively short distance by a series of con secutive trips or movements along a prede: termined line of travel, preferably above the surface of the earth; and some of the objects of this invention are to provide an apparatus of this general character which will be simple and cheap in construction and at the same time rapid, positive, and effective in operation.

Anotherobject of the invention is to provide means forautomatically releasing the conveyer upon the completion of each trip or at the end of travel at any point.

A further object of the invention is to provide for the automatic locking of the trolley at a predetermined point and to provide means for unlocking the same.

It is also an object of this invention to provide mechanism whereby the trolley can be stopped at any desired time or place in the travel thereof and to provide for the raising and lo wering of the conveyor slowly and positively or with great rapidity and accuracy when released.

Auotherobject of the invention is to provide mechanism to operate the lines, so that the trolley may be conveyed with a uniform movement.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists, essentially, in the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts substantially as more fully described in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming part of this application, in which- Figure 1 is a'perspective view of an apparatus embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the trolley in engagement with the line-carrier in passing a support, the parts being shown on an enlarged scale. Fig.

3-is a fragmental view of the trolley, illustrating the means for retaining the same in position upon the supporting-cable. Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the trolley, showing the same partly broken away to illustrate one of the supporting-sheaves. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal central sectional View of the trolley. Fig. 6 is an end elevational view thereof. Fig. 7 is a bottom plan view of the trolley. Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail View, partly broken away, of the line-carrier. Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of the same on an enlarged scale. Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail view of portions of the line-carrier, and Fig. 11 is a modified construction.

Similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Fig. 1 thereof, the reference characters 1 and 2 designate supporting frames or derricks which may be constructed in any desired manner and may be of any suitable dimensions, and the derrick 1 is preferably provided with a crown-block 3, which may be provided with a notch or groove to receive and retain a supporting cable or rope 4:, that may be fastened at one end beyond the derrick l and may pass over said crown-block to and over a sheave or pulley 5, preferably mounted about the top of the derrick 2 toallow the slipping of the cable during the tightening of the same without pulling the derrick 2 out of position, as is usually the case when tightening or taking up a slack in the cable.

One or more intermediate supports 6 may be employed atsuitable distances between the derricks 1 and 2 in order to maintain the supporting-cable 4: in position, and the support 6 is preferably provided with a bracket 7, connected with the cable, as shown at 8, i and formed on or connected with the bracket 7 is a frame or hanger 9, preferably provided with a line-carrier 10, the construction whereof will be more fully explained hereinafter.

Each of the derricks are preferably provided with releasing devices desirably constructed of a central bar or rod 11, the screwthreaded end whereof passes through a plate 12 upon the derricks. and is adjiustably secured therein, preferably by jam-nuts 13 upon either side of said plates, and the free end of said bars or rods is preferably supported by braces 14, substantially as shown in Fig. 1. of the drawings.

The bar or rod 11 upon the derrick 1 is preferably provided with amale releasing device 15, which may embody rearwardly-extending diverging plates, and the bar or rod 11 upon the derrick 2 is preferably provided with a female releasing device 16, desirably embodying forwardly extending diverging plates, substantially as illustrated.

Twin sheaves 17 are preferably mounted in the upper portion of the derrick 1 to receive the trolley and hoistinglines 18 and 19, the former being being connected by a hook or other device 20 with a loop or ring 21 upon the trolleyframe, Fig. 2, and passing from the trolley over the sheave or pulley 22 in the derrick 2, thence back over one of the sheaves 17 to the reel ordrum 23, Fig. 1, while the hoisting-line 19 passes from the reel or drum 24 up over the other sheave 17 to and over the sheave 25, Fig. 2, in the trolley-frame and down to the engaging device of the conveyer, Fig. 1.

The trolley is preferably provided with a locking-yoke 26, Figs. 1 and 2, constructed to be locked by a latch 27, secured to the upper portion of the derrick 1, and the latch is preferably operated by a pull-rope 28, connected with the free end thereof and passing over a sheave or pulley 29 upon the supportingcable 4, thence over a sheave 30 on the crownblock 3 of the derrick 1, down to a pedal 31,

substantially in the manner as illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings. By means of this construction when the pedal is depressed or operated the pull-rope 28 draws the latch 27 upwardly and at the same time draws the supporting-cable 4 downwardly, thereby lowering the traction -frame, which carries the yoke 26, and consequently facilitating the disengagement between said latoh and yoke, as will be readily understood.

Suitably mounted upon the foundation or bed-plate 32 is a sliding frame 33, constructed to be reciprocated thereon by means of a screw 34, mounted in a standard 35 and carrying a crank or handle 36 or other device to operate the screw, which engages a lug or pro jection 37 upon the sliding frame 33, whereby the latter can be thrown to and from the derrick 1 by the rotation of said screw to engage and disengage the driven gear-wheels 38 and 39 from the driving-pinion 40, having a shaft 41, actuated by any suitable motor or driving apparatus (not shown) and mounted independent of the sliding frame 33.

A friction-brake 42 may be mounted upon the drum 23, one end of said brake being secured to the sliding frame 33 and the other to one end of a reciprocating bar 43, working in-a guide 44 upon the side of the sliding frame,the other end of said bar or rod being connected with a hand-brake lever 45, whereby the hoisting-line may be payed out or unwound as desired by the operator of the apparatus.

A friction-brake 46 may be mounted upon the reel or drum 24 and have one end connected with the sliding frame 33 and the other end to the foot-brake 31, which reciprocates in a guideway 47 upon the sliding frame, and it will be understood that the friction-brake will normally be released or out of contact with the drum 24 by reason of the upward tension of the pull-rope 28, which is connected with the pedal; but a coiled spring may be mounted upon the reciprocating bar 43 to normally release the friction-brake 42.

If found desirable in practice, a buffer or bumper 49 may be mounted upon the supporting-cable 4 to receive and consume the impact of the trolley, and a winch 48 may be provided.

Aconveyer 50, Figs. 1 and 2, is preferably provided with a rigid bail 51, having an intermediate offset or loop 52, and with a supplemental bail 53, preferably provided with an intermediate eye 54 to receive a snap-hook or other device 55, carried by a bar or link 56, desirably constructed with a bifurcated portion 57, within which is pivoted an engaging device or hook 58, the connection preferably being so far out of the center of gravity of said hook that the latter will rotate or turn upon its axis automatically without the twist of the hoisting-line as soon as the hook is disengaged from the rigid bail 51 of the conveyer, and to facilitate this rotation of the hook the link 56 is preferably swiveled in the snap 55, and it may be so mounted in the bifurcation or yoke 57.

The conveyer here illustrated is preferably provided with a roller 59 to protect the bottom of the con veyer when the latter is dragged or drawn over rough surfaces and to facilitate such traction, and the conveyer may be constructed in such a way as to be self-righting, or so as to assume carrying position automatically after being discharged of its contents.

Adverting to Figs. 2 to 7 of the drawings, there is illustrated a trolley, preferably constructed of a plate or frame 60, desirably bent upon itself to form a depending side 61, and in the upper portion of the frame are preferably mounted sheave-wheels 62, constructed to travel upon the supporting-cable 4, Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, and to prevent the accidental disengagement of the trolley from said cable an oscillating lever 63 is preferably mounted or pivoted in a cleat or bracket 64 upon the frame of the trolley, so that one portion of said lever passes through slots 65 and 66 in the trolley-frame, and the other end of the lever is preferably connected by a spring 67 with the sides of the trolley-frame beyond the ends of a slot 65 therein, substantially as illustrated in Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6 of the drawings. By means of this construction the trolley is always fastened upon the supporting-cable 4, except when passing a support, in which case the oscillating lever 63 is deflected laterally against the action of the spring;67: until the lever shall have passed the obstruction on the line or supporting cax ble, whereupon the lever will be returned to i itsnormal locking position, as illustrated in Fig. 2 ofthe drawings, wherein the trolley is 1 shown as traveling in the direction indicated :by the arrow on said figure, having just passed the obstruction or support upon the cable t and the oscillating lever having been returned to its locking position. The edge of the frame is secured between f plates or portions 68 of the hanger-frame of the trolley, and between the plates 68 is mounted asheave 25, constructed to receive the hoisting-line,which passes thereover down through the hanger-frame, and below the sheave 25 the side plates 68 are preferably deflected latorally, substantially as shown at 70, Figs. 2 and 6, and again downwardly, as shown at 71, parallel to each other, and within or between the parallel depending side pieces 71 is secured abrace 72, Figs. 2and 6, carrying a guidingsleeve 73, connected therewith and extending. nearly to the bottom 74 ofthe hanger-frame and on the bottom 74-are pivotally mounted engaging or sustaining jaws 7 5,having curved or beak-shaped engaging portions 76, con- Y structed to enter the female releasing device 16, which forces said portions together to disengage theconveyer50, and said jaws are provided with laterally -extending or flared portions7 7 ,carrying guides or fenders 78,con-

structed to be deflected laterally by the male releasing device. 15 to disengage said conveyer, as shownin dotted lines in Fig. 7, such deflection taking place against the action of 1 the spring or other device 79, secured to said flared portions 77. 1 j The hoisting-line19 is preferably secured in a conical socket 80, from which extends a reduced portion or shank 81, carrying a collar connectedwiththe shank or hook 58, or the latter may be connected therewith in a movable manner, it found desirable in practice. By means of this construction when the hoisti ing-line is'retracted or wound upon the drum y 24 the conveyer will be elevated or drawntowardthe trolley until thesocket shall have passed between and beyond the engaging jaws 75, which close therebelow upon the shank 81 and retain thecouveyer in safety. 1 Referring to theline-carrier 10, Figs. 2, 8, 9, and 10, the: same embodies, preferably, a fixed arm 85, carrying a depending pin 86, constructed to engage the recessed ends of p spring-actuated jaws 87 and 88, which are dea flected laterally by the engagement therewith of a pin 89 in the end of an oscillating arm or :lever 90, carrying a sleeve or roller 91 and an antifriction device92, the former being dei signed toreceive and support the trolley and hoisting-lines whichpass thereover and the latter being constructed to contact with the trolley as the samepasses the supports, sub

or disk 82. These parts may be formed on or.

., stantially. as illustrated in Fig. 2 of the dlEtW'.

ings, and a bandor belt 93 may be secured upon the depending frame of the, trolley to receive the impact andcontact of the rollercarrying arm 90, the trolley being shown in Fig. 2 traveling in the direction of the arrow and having contacted with and forced laterally the free end of the oscillating arm 90, thereby deflecting the opposite end thereof, carrying the pin 89, which is shown as having engaged and forced the jaw 88 away from the pin 86 of the fixed arm upon the hanger 9. When the trolley travels past the hanger 9 in a direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2, then the oscillating arm would be deflected in an opposite direction, thereby forcing the jaw 87 away from the pin 85, and it will be understood that the function of the spring-actuated jaws 87 and 88 is to return the oscillating arm 90 to its normal position across the line 'of travel of the trolley, as in Fig. 1.

If found desirable in practice, eyes or rings 9-1 may be formed on or, connected with the trolley to receive and support the trolley-line, Figs. 2 and 6 of the drawings.

The operation of this invention will be readily understood from the foregoing description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and the following explanation thereof. Supposing conveyer to have discharged the load and the. hoistingline gear to be in engagement, then the motor isstarted and the conveyeris raised into safety, whereupon the foot-brakeis applied to unlock the trolley and hold hoisting-line in said safety. position, then screw is rotated away from motor, throwing the trolley-line gear into engagement with driving-pin, then motor is started and the foot-brake released, whereupon the conveyer is saftied and the trolley is carried out or away from the derrick. When the trolley reaches the support, it contacts with the rope-carrier, forcing the latter to one side until the trolley is almost past, when, the trolley-lock or oscillating lever 63 strikes the cable-support and the lever is forced laterally by contact with the support, whereupon the line carrier passes the trolley or is passed by the trolley and assumes its normal position across or at right angles to the supporting-cables, in which. position it performs its office in supporting the lines, to prevent the same from sagging, when the trolleylock or oscillating arm 63 pass the cable-support, and is returned to its normal locking position across the trolley, beneath the supporting-cable, it being understood that the hoisting-line is simply paying out or unwinding during this operation. When the sustaining-jaws enter the female releasing device 16,they are forced together, releasing the conveyor, which descends by gravity, rapidly unwinding the hoisting-lino until the conveyer strikesthe placeto be loaded or the foot-brake is applied to the drum or reel24; but the impact of the sustaining-jaws against the female releasing device tends to throw the trolley oif of the supporting-cable, which is prevented by the action of the trolley-lock or oscillating lever 63, and it will be understood that at the time of such impact the motor will be stopped. The conveyor is loaded and the screw is turned toward the motor, throwing the hoisting-line gear into engagement with the motor or driving-pinion, disengaging the trolley-line gear, which is held against rotation by its friction-brake being applied to prevent reverse travel of the trolley until after the conveyor is raised into safety, whereupon the brake is released and the hoisting-line is temporarily converted into a trolley-line and returns the trolley to its initial position, whereupon the sustainingjaws contact with and are deflected by the male releasing device 15, permitting the descent of the conveyor, and the trolley is locked in this position, at which time the motor is stopped and the loaded conveyor gravitates into contact with the surface whereon the load is to be discharged, and the hook on the hoisting-line becomes disengaged from the rigid bail and swings out of reengaging position upon the slacking of the hoisting-line, which when tightened or elevated discharges the contents of the conveyor, substantially as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

It is not desired to confine this invention to the specific construction, combination, and arrangement of parts herein shown and described, and the right is reserved to make all such changes in and modifications of the same as come within the spirit and scope of the invention.

In order to provide for the releasing of the conveyor at any place or position along the line of travel thereof, an adjustable releasing device may be provided, constructed to be clamped at any point upon the supportingcable 4:, substantially as illustrated in Fig. 11 of the drawings, and the same preferably embodies a hanger or bracket95, connected at one end to the bar or rod 11 and secured at the intermediate portion thereof to the supporting-cable 4 by clamps or other devices 97, the other end of said hanger being attached to the female releasing device 16, also connected with said device, as shown at 96 in Fig. 11 of the drawings.

I claim 1. A conveyor apparatus provided with a cable, a trolley thereon having a slotted frame and a spring-actuated arm mounted in said slots constructed to normally look the trolley on said cable.

2. A conveyor apparatus provided with a cable, a trolley thereon having a slotted frame, an arm pivoted upon the frame and working in said slots and springs connected with said frame and arm, whereby the latter normally locks the trolley on said cable and is capable of deflection in either direction.

3. A conveyor apparatus provided with a cable, a trolley thereon provided with a hanger-frame, a hoisting-sheave mounted therein, a brace in said frame, a guide-sleeve in said brace and a hoisting-line passing over said sheave and down through said sleeve.

4. A conveyor apparatus provided with a cable, a trolley thereon provided with a hanger-frame having an intermediate brace, a sleeve in the brace and sustaining-jaws mounted upon the bottom of said frame and retained in position by said sleeve and brace.

5. A conveyor apparatus provided with a cable, a trolley thereon provided With a supporting-frame carrying supporting-sheaves, a hanger-frame connected therewith and having a hoisting-sheave, a brace in said hanger.- frame, a guide-sleeve in said brace and supporting-jaws in said hanger-frame.

6. A conveyor apparatus provided with a cable, a releasing device supported therefrom provided with a bar or rod carrying diverging plates, a bracket or support for said rod and means for adjusting the position of said plates.

7. A conveyor apparatus provided with dorricks, a supporting-cable passing thereover, a trolley provided with a main frame constructed of a single sheet of metal having supporting-sheaves mounted between paral. lol portions of the frame constructed to travel on said cable, a depending frame connected with one edge of said main frame and having an intermediate brace and sleeve therein, supporting-jaws mounted below said sleeve, releasing devices to operate said jaws to release the hoisting-line, a latch to lock the trolley, a trolley-line connected with the trolley and passing over a sheave in one of said derricks and back through eyes on the trolley over a sheave in the other derrick and a hoisting-lino passing over a sheave in the hanger-frame and in one of said derricks and mechanism for actuating the parts.

8. A conveyor apparatus provided with a supporting-cable, a trolley constructed of a single sheet of metal having one end thereof bent upon itself and supporting sheaves mounted therebetwoen adapted 'to travel on said cable, said trolley having a hanger-frame connected with one side of said shoot in a line with the longitudinal axis of the trolley and carrying a hoisting-sheave, a sleeve, supporting-jaws mounted between said sleeve and the bottom of the trolley, a hoisting-line passing through said sleeve and over said sheave and means for operating the parts.

9. A conveyor apparatus provided with a supporting-cable, a trolley constructed of a single sheet of metal having one end thereof bent upon itself and supporting sheaves mounted therobetween adapted to travel on said cable, said trolley having a hanger-frame connected with one side of said sheet and carrying a hoisting-sheave, a sleeve, supporting-jaws mounted between said sleeve and the bottom of said trolley, a hoisting-lino passing through said sleeve and over said sheave, an arm mounted in the supporting-frame of ICC the trolley constructed to normally lock the trolley on said cable and means for operating the parts.

10. A trolley provided with a main frame constructed of a single piece of sheet metal bent uponitself and having supportingsheaves mounted therebetween, the remaining portion of said frame occupying a plane iro coincident with the longitudinal axis of said trolley and 9. depending frame embodying" plates or side pieces secured upon each side of said portion to bring the weight over said axis.

11. A trolley provided with a main frame constructed of a single piece of sheet metal bent upon itself and having supportingsheaves mounted therebetween, the remaining portion of said frame occupying a plane i coincident with the longitudinal axis of said trolley and a depending frame embodying plates-or side pieces secured upon each side of said portion to bring the Weight over said axes, a sheave mounted between said side pieces and supporting-jaws below the sheave. 12. A trolley provided with a main frame constructed of a single piece of sheet metal bent upon itself and having supportingsheaves mounted therebetween, the remaining port-ion of said frame occupying aplane coincident with the longitudinal axis of said trolley and a depending frame embodying plates or side pieces secured upon each side of said portion to bring the weight over said axis, a deflecting-band mounted upon the outside of said side pieces and supporting-"jaws below said band.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

MASON BRADFIELD.

Witnesses:

AMELIA GUEST,

L. B. ALDERETE. 

